Sustainability requires a new pathway and our industry must evolve to be a contributor to finding the right answer, rather than delivering the trusted solutions that have served us well in an industry of unconstrained resources. Aspiration of initiating a dialogue about our professional responsibility: the dialogue must engage with matters beyond engineering and find relevance in the disparate academic research, to drive the pragmatic decision making required by industry. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Architecture / unrestricted

In the last two decades, energy is becoming one of the main issues in the manufacturing industry as it contributes substantially to production cost, CO2 emissions, and other destructive environmental impact. Due to rising energy costs, environmental concerns and stringent regulations, manufacturing is increasingly driven towards sustainable manufacturing which needs to address the associated environmental, social and economic aspects simultaneously. One common approach is to achieve sustainability and to implement energy-resource efficient production management systems that enable optimisation of energy consumption and resource utilisation in the production system. However, by reducing energy consumption, the product quality and production cost may be compromised. To remain competitive in the dynamic environment, the energy-efficient management system should not only concern energy consumption but also maintain product quality and production efficiency. This thesis presents a development of the Energy-smart Production Management (e-ProMan) system which provides a systematic, virtual simulation that integrates manufacturing data relating to thermal effect and correlation analysis between energy flow, work flow and data flow for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and production process. First, the e-ProMan system comprises of the multidimensional analysis between energy flow, work flow and data flow. The results showed that the product quality is significantly affected by ambient temperature in CNC precision machining. Product quality appears to be improved at lower temperatures. This research highlights the significance of ambient temperature in sustainable precision machining. Second, the simulation experiment was modelled at the production process due to it being the main source of energy consumption in manufacturing. An up-hill workload scenario was found to be the most energy and cost-efficient production processes. In other words, energy consumption, CO2 emission and total manufacturing cost could be reduced when workload capacity and operating machine increase incrementally. Moreover, the e-ProMan system was modelled and simulated using the weather forecast and real-time ambient temperature to reduce energy consumption of the HVAC system. The e-ProMan system results in less energy consumption compared to the fuzzy control system. To conclude, the e-ProMan demonstrates energy efficiency at all relevant levels in the manufacturing: machine, process and plant. For the future research, the e-ProMan system needs to be applied and validated in actual manufacturing environments.

In the current global climate of declining fossil fuel reserves and due to the impact of industry on the natural environment, industrial sustainability is becoming ever more important. However, sustainability is quite a vague concept for many, and there are a range of interpretations of the word. If the resource efficiency of a factory is taken as a measure of its sustainability, then the concept becomes better defined and quantifiable. In order to analyse the resource efficiency of a factory and suggest improvements, all flows through the manufacturing system need to be modelled. However the factory is a complex environment, there is a wide variation in the quality levels of energy as well as the composition of material flows in the system. The research presented in this thesis shows how the thermodynamics-based concept of ‘exergy’ can be used to quantify the resource efficiency of a factory. The factory is considered an ‘integrated system’, meaning it is composed of the building and the production processes, both interacting with each other. This is supported by three case studies in different industries that demonstrate the practical application of the approach. A review of literature identified that it was appropriate to develop a novel approach that combined exergy analysis with the integrated view of the factory. Such an approach would allow a ‘holistic’ assessment of resource efficiency for different technology options possibly employable. The development of the approach and its illustration through practical case studies is the main contribution of the work presented. Three case studies, when viewed together, illustrate all aspects of the novel exergy based resource accounting approach. The first case study is that of an engine production line, in which the resource efficiency of this part of the factory is analysed for different energy system options relating to heating ventilation and air conditioning. Firstly, the baseline is compared with the use of a solar photovoltaic array to generate electricity, and then a heat recovery unit is considered. Finally, both of these options were used together, and here it is found that the non-renewable exergy supply and exergy destruction are reduced by 51.6% and 49.2% respectively. The second case study is that of a jaggery (a sugar substitute) production line. The exergy efficiency of the process is calculated based on varying the operating temperature of the jaggery furnace. The case study describes the modelling of al flows through the jaggery process in terms of exergy. Since this is the first example of an exergy analysis of a jaggery process, it can be considered a minor contribution of the work. An imaginary secondary process that could utilize the waste heat from the jaggery process is considered in order to illustrate the application of the approach to industrial symbiosis. The non-renewable exergy supply and exergy destruction are determined for the baseline and the alternative option. The goal of this case study is not to present a thermally optimized design; rather it illustrates how the exergy concept can be used to assess the impact of changes to individual process operations on the overall efficiency in industrial symbiosis. When considering natural resource consumption in manufacturing, accounting for clean water consumption is increasingly important. Therefore, a holistic methodology for resource accounting in factories must be able to account for water efficiency as well. The third case study is that of a food production facility where the water supply and effluent are modelled in terms of exergy. A review of relevant literature shows that previously, the exergy content of only natural water bodies and urban wastewater had been quantified. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first example of applying this methodology of modelling water flows in a manufacturing context. The results show that due to a high amount of organic content in food process effluent, there is significant recoverable exergy in it. Therefore, a hypothetical water treatment process was assumed to estimate the possible savings in exergy consumption. The results show that at least a net 4.1% savings in terms of exergy could be possible if anaerobic digestion water treatment was employed. This result can be significant for the UK since the food sector forms a significant portion of the industry in the country. Towards the end of the thesis, a qualitative study is also presented that aims to evaluate the practical utility of the approach for the industry. A mixed method approach was used to acquire data from experts in the field and analyse their responses. The exergy based resource accounting method developed in this thesis was first presented to them before acquiring the responses. A unanimous view emerged that the developed exergy based factory resource accounting methodology has good potential to benefit industrial sustainability. However, they also agreed that exergy was too complex a concept to be currently widely applied in practice. To this effect, measures that could help overcome this barrier to its practical application were presented which form part of future work.

The production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textiles, commonly known as polyester, is an energy and water-intensive process, particularly during the dyeing and finishing stages, leading to significant carbon emissions and wastewater filled with toxic chemicals. Conventional dyeing processes consume large volumes of water and energy, making them environmentally harmful. Innovative methods like hydraulic spray atomizer offer a more sustainable alternative by reducing water and chemical usage, thus minimizing waste and environmental impact. This study explores the hydraulic spray dyeing process parameters, including pre-treatment, dyeing, pre-drying, and fixation steps for three different polyester fabrics. The objective is to achieve resource-efficient dyeing with comparable results to traditional methods, and to compare effectiveness of a combined pre-treatment and dyeing approach with a two-step spray application of pre-treatment and dyeing. Pre-treatment of the polyester fabrics with chemical hydrophilizing agents by spray application showed to improve the hydrophilic character and wetting capacity of three polyester fabrics—P75, P600, and Kibo based on reduced water contact angle measurements and increased vertical wicking rates. A pre-treatment also showed to enhance the K/S values of the three different polyester fabrics. The addition of a pre-drying step showed some indication of reducing disperse dye migration, and enhanced color strength of the Kibo fabrics. Spray dyed samples maintained dyeing quality comparable to padded samples. One-step spray processes demonstrated comparable or improved color properties and durability to fastness to washing and abrasion in comparison to two-step processes. The results demonstrate that the hydraulic spray atomizing system is viable for both dyeing and pre-treatment of polyester fabrics. Furthermore, this lays the groundwork for innovation in wet textile processes of polyester fabrics using this resource-efficient alternative, aiming towards sustainable textile production and dyeing.

The rapid evolution of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) has led to a surge in research on efficient anomaly detection methods to ensure their safe and reliable operation. While state-of-the-art deep learning models offer promising results in this domain, their high computational requirements present challenges for deployment in resource-constrained environments, such as Electronic Control Units (ECU) in vehicles. In this context, we consider using the ensemble learning technique specifically the cascaded modeling approach for real-time and resource-efficient multivariate time series anomaly detection in CAVs. The study was done in collaboration with SCANIA, a transport solutions provider. The company is now undergoing a transformation of providing autonomous and sustainable solutions and this work will contribute towards that transformation. Our methodology employs unsupervised learning techniques to construct a cascade of models, comprising a coarse-grained model with lower computational complexity at level one, and a more intricate fine-grained model at level two. Furthermore, we incorporate cascaded model training to refine the complex model's ability to make decisions on uncertain and anomalous events, leveraging insights from the simpler model. Through extensive experimentation, we investigate the trade-off between model performance and computational complexity, demonstrating that our proposed cascaded model achieves greater efficiency with no performance degradation. Further, we do a comparative analysis of the impact of probabilistic versus deterministic approaches and assess the feasibility of model training at edge environments using the Federated Learning concept.

Research question: What initiatives does Lidl Sweden implement in the area of environmental sustainability?                          Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate what initiatives Lidl has developed and how the company implemented its corporate social responsibility in the direction of environmental sustainability. The purpose is also to compare the company’s activities with the guidelines of the EU Environment Commission and theoretical frameworks developed by previous research, and, as the result, to provide recommendations to the Lidl management. As well the purpose is to review the general improvement patterns within the food retail industry. Method: The research is made by using a qualitative method with a deductive approach. In order to present quality information in the study, a case design was chosen. The empirical analysis includes four interview transcriptions, secondary data and documentation, as well as a comparison to the theoretical concepts in the descriptive analysis. Conclusion: The responsibility and awareness of the improvement of the environmental sustainability is vital in the food retail industry. Indeed, it was found that aspects such as product and supplier’s control, the use of resources, transportation and distribution, as well as waste management and information communication to the employees and customers are considered as important aspects of the contribution for the environmental impact reduction. Lidl Sweden has developed and implemented some initiatives towards environmental sustainability, as well regarding the corporate social responsibility. However, there are some suggested actions that can be taken in order to excel the development.

The increasing use of natural resources and the pollution it causes calls for new ways of addressing customer needs. Additionally, a more uncertain and complex world also presents new challenges. In this thesis, these new challenges are tackled through inter and transdisciplinary research, which require more interaction across disciplines to tackle complex phenomena. The manner in which companies address customer needs starts from the designing (a multiplestakeholder perspective) of offerings where companies rely on different types of support (guidelines, standards, methods and tools). In this thesis, these offerings, include products, services, systems, and solutions. This plays an important role in the use of natural resources and its impact on the environment. In this Licentiate, I present results to show initial cues on how to design resource-efficient offerings, and more specifically their analysis and evaluation in the early stages of the design process. This type of offerings is suggested to be crucial for the circular economy, which can be understood as a paradigm shift towards sustainability. In this paradigm shift, designing is carried out by taking into account reuse, remanufacture and recycling of products as strategies by multiple stakeholders and companies. Other strategies include providing services, a function or a solution through dematerialization and transmaterialization. The methods used in this research are narrative and systematic literature reviews, thematic analysis and a case study. The results show a lack of interdisciplinary research in the academic literature in subjects relevant to the design of resource-efficient offerings. The results also show a need to clarify what transdisciplinary research entails. Moreover, current practice shows that support used by companies needs to consider several factors for it to be useful, for example, the vision of the company, participation of potential users of the support and everyday operations, among other characteristics. Finally, more practical support coming from academia is necessary to improve its use in industry. / <p>Information om opponent och seminarium saknas</p>

Textilindustrin har under de senaste åren vidtagit drastiska åtgärder för att ställa om till en mer hållbar industri och därav möta målen för Agenda 2030. Denna undersökning syftar till att förbättra den resurssnåla hydrauliska sprayteknikens infärgning på ullvävar med hjälp av två resurssnåla förbehandlingar, plasmateknologi och ultraljudsbad. Färgklasser som används är syrafärg och reaktivfärg. Efter litteratursökning har försök utfärdats för att optimera de båda metoderna med ändamål att en mer intensiv och jämnt fördelad färg ska framträda. Inställningar gällande både ultraljudsbehandlingen och plasmateknologin diskuteras såväl som möjligheten till att effektivisera färgrecepten. Resultaten presenteras efter utförda tester på vätbarhet och färgmätningar innefattandes färgförändring och färgstyrka. Underlagen för signifikanta skillnader är bristfälliga men vissa tendenser på förbättring gällande alla avseenden kan urskiljas, dock utan slutsats om optimala inställningar. Bäst effekt återfinns i färgstyrkan för båda behandlingarna oavsett färgklass. Tas däremot alla tester i beaktande dras slutsatsen att plasmabehandlingen bäst möter de optimala egenskaperna som ullvävarna bör anta för en godtagbar infärgning. Vätbarhet, som syftar till materialets hydrofilitet, visar på betydligt bättre resultat för de plasmabehandlade proverna än för ultraljudsbehandlade, dock inte i den mån för att tillgodose problemet. Trots detta har de båda förbehandlingarna potential till att uppfylla syftet med studien, men ytterligare forskning och vidare tester krävs för att kunna implementera dessa i industrin. / In recent years, the textile industry has taken drastic measures to transition to a more sustainable industry and thus meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda. This study aims to improve the resource efficient hydraulic spray dyeing technique on wool fabrics using two resource efficient pretreatments: plasma technology and ultrasonic bath. The dyes used are acid dyes and reactive dyes. After a literature review, lab tests have been conducted to optimize both methods with the aim of producing a more intense and evenly distributed colour. The settings of both the ultrasonic and the plasma treatment are discussed as well as the possibility of streamlining the colour recipes. The results are presented after performing wettability tests and colour measurements including colour change and colour strength. There is no evidence for significant differences but tendencies for improvement in all aspects can be differenciated, however without a conclusion on optimal settings. The best effect is found in regards the colour strength for both treatments irrespective of dye class. However, if all tests are taken into account, it can be concluded that the plasma treatment meets the optimum properties that wool fabrics should adopt for an acceptable dyeing. Wettability, which refers to the hydrophilicity of the material, shows significantly better results for the plasma treated samples than for the ultrasonic treated ones, although not to the extent of satisfying the problem. Nevertheless, both pretreatments have the potential to fulfill the purpose of the study, but further research and testing is required to implement them in the industry.

Miljömässig hållbarhet är en förutsättning för en fortsatt hållbar ekonomisk utveckling ochför en fortsatt konkurrenskraft, genom olika verktyg kan så väl miljö- som hållbarhetsarbeteatt utvecklas. Syftet med den här studien har varit att identifiera miljöaspekter för att sedanåstadkomma praktiska åtgärder med målet att öka tempot i miljöförbättringsarbetet.Arbetet är utfört vid produktionsenheten AstraZeneca Sweden Operations i Södertälje, påenheten tillverkas aktiv läkemedelsubstans och enheten står för tillverkning, formulering,fyllning och förpackning av slutprodukter. Enheten Sweden Operations, som är AstraZenecasstörsta högteknologiska produktionsenhet, är indelad i sju olika fabriker som kallas för PET.Detta arbete är utfört vid PET Turbuhaler, vid en av de produktionslinjer som producerarinhalatorn Turbuhaler Symbicort.Att utsläppen måste minska är idag de flesta överens om, de finns olika tillvägagångssätt attgöra det på. I det här arbetet har fokus varit på att använda metoden Green PerformanceMap (GPM), det är en metod som integrerar lean och miljöarbete och kan användas som ettverktyg för miljöförbättringsarbete. I detta arbete har GPM-metoden använts för attidentifiera de miljöaspekter som finns på produktionslinjen på PET Turbuhaler i AstraZeneca.Vidare har ett flertal av dessa identifierade miljöaspekter analyserats djupare ur ettekonomiskt- och miljöperspektiv, under arbetet har medarbetare från operatörsnivå tillledningsnivå involverats. Genom att sätta fokus på kostnadsdrivna förbättringar inom miljönoch involvera fler medarbetare kan drivkraften för det gröna förbättringsarbetet i enverksamhet ökas.Med identifiering som grund har en karta tagits fram över de miljöaspekter som finns iproduktionsprocessen, både i form av material och energi. Vidare har dessa miljöaspekterdiskuterats och kunnat värderas i miljö- och kostnadsbesparingar. / Environmental sustainability is a prerequisite for a sustainable economic development andfor competitiveness, the environmental as well as the sustainability work, can through varioustools, be developed. The purpose of this study has been to identify environmental aspectsand then to provide practical measures aimed to improve the environmental improvementactivities.The thesis work was carried out at AstraZeneca Sweden Operations in Södertälje, the siteproduces active pharmaceuticals ingredients and is responsible for the manufacture,formulation, filling and packaging of end products. Sweden Operations site is AstraZeneca'slargest high-tech facility, the facility is divided into seven different sections called PET. Thiswork has been performed at PET Turbuhaler, at one of the production lines that produces theTurbuhaler Symbicort Inhaler.In this work, the focus has been on studying the environmental aspects by using the GreenPerformance Map (GPM), it is a method of continuous improvement tools in the “lean andgreen” area and can be used as a tool for improving the environmental performance. In thiswork the GPM method has been used to identify the environmental aspects of the PETTurbuhaler production line in AstraZeneca. Furthermore, a number of these identifiedenvironmental aspects have been analysed deeper from an economic and environmentalperspective. By focusing on cost-driven improvements in the environment and by involvingmore employees, the ‘step-up the pace’ of improvement can be increased.Based on the identified aspects, a map of environmental aspects was drawn up, representingmaterials and energy. Furthermore, these environmental aspects have been discussed toassess the environmental and cost savings.

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